Ｖａｎ Ｓｌａｎｚａｒ ｄｅ Ｆａｎｅｌ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
danceofcurse) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
maskormenace2016-06-05 01:26 am
danceofcurse) wrote in maskormenace2016-06-05 01:26 am
001 ⚔ Video
[The device is unfamiliar to Van, but he has always been a quick study. After a brief fumble with the initial direction of the camera, he appears upright on screen, a young man with earthy red eyes, wild black hair, and a stern expression that suggests he is attempting to, and only halfway succeeding at, controlling a barrage of intense emotions.
Probably confusion and disorientation, the same sort almost all imPorts feel upon their arrival, though some more so than others, particularly those who hail from worlds much less advanced than this one...]
I'm looking for two friends of mine.
[He's abrupt and to the point, seemingly unhappy with having to ask for help, but obviously knowing that he's without any alternative options at the moment.]
We were traveling together before I found myself here. Merle, Hitomi...I've been told that this is the quickest way to reach you if you've also been brought here by that Porter.
[If...
Van's expression darkens, and a gloved hand rises to cover the lens of the camera.]
...I would be grateful to anyone who has perhaps heard of them, or who recognizes the names Gaea or Zaibach.
[The latter said with such potent disdain it's a wonder the young man's voice didn't crack before he simply...disconnects.]
Probably confusion and disorientation, the same sort almost all imPorts feel upon their arrival, though some more so than others, particularly those who hail from worlds much less advanced than this one...]
I'm looking for two friends of mine.
[He's abrupt and to the point, seemingly unhappy with having to ask for help, but obviously knowing that he's without any alternative options at the moment.]
We were traveling together before I found myself here. Merle, Hitomi...I've been told that this is the quickest way to reach you if you've also been brought here by that Porter.
[If...
Van's expression darkens, and a gloved hand rises to cover the lens of the camera.]
...I would be grateful to anyone who has perhaps heard of them, or who recognizes the names Gaea or Zaibach.
[The latter said with such potent disdain it's a wonder the young man's voice didn't crack before he simply...disconnects.]
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Hm.
[A slight cant of his head to the side as he realizes something seemingly important.]
That's twice.
[That you've helped him, Jonathan, and asked nothing in return.]
You have my gratitude for your assistance...just don't think it means I owe you any grandiose favors, alright? I'll repay your kindness, but I won't be taken for a fool.
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I'm glad that I've been able to help, but I'm afraid I don't do so with the intention of some sort of reward. If this talk is useful, even a bit, then I'm quite satisfied.
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There aren't very many people who do something for nothing, and I like to think there are even less who like being in another's debt.
[If it isn't clear, he falls into the latter bracket.]
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A gentleman doesn't hold people morally hostage simply for doing what's right. If it really bothers you to not reciprocate, you could always buy me lunch sometime.
[it's more of a friendly thing to do than a real repayment, and it gives them a nice excuse to chat if Van's so inclined.]
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And immediately he feels a bit ashamed for being so suspicious. His surprise turns to chagrin and he stiffens marginally.]
...lunch?
[He seems to consider this, but there is a problem. He doesn't have any money at the moment. At least, none he's aware of.]
Is there nothing else?
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[there's nothing to meet Van's uncomfortable posture but a warm smile. he's been taken for much worse many times before.]
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[Which very clearly bothers him! But he will deal with it and move on. There are worse things, after all.]
Although...
[He frowns again. Always frowning, although this time it seems to be a little in confusion.]
...I was given a job here to do? Maybe once I've gathered some earnings from that I can treat you to lunch. If you don't mind the wait.
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[he knows better than to use the f word around someone who frowns that much. not yet, anyway.]
Do you mind my asking what they assigned you to do? They seem to be rather...creative with the jobs.
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[He knows what Jonathan's getting at, but he'd rather not go there. Not yet. Instead, it's easier to answer his other question. Well...sort of easier.]
I was told that it's assembling figurines? Clashmallet figurines. Whatever that is.
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[at least it's not a television show. feel fortunate, Van.]
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I'm a pilot not an engineer...I don't know what they were thinking.
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Likely that you were a quick learned with a great deal of finesse. Or perhaps they simply pulled the job from a hat.
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Honestly I don't think I'd be able to rule the possibility out in good conscience.
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Can't anyone run their country properly? It seems he's always running into tyrants or clowns!]
I guess it doesn't really matter either way, the result's the same. I...
[...have no idea what he's doing? No, he doesn't want to admit that, at least not in so many words.]
...I'll figure it out.
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[it's something small, but Jonathan understands that having even one thing in your control can be quite significant here.]
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Besides, it isn't like I've got anything else I can do at the moment to earn an income.
[And he absolutely cannot abide by surviving solely on the gratitude of strangers.]
What sort of work were you saddled with?
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I host a show about ghost-hunting, although the entire premise was rather shaky from the start considering there aren't any supernatural occurrences like that in this world. These days I mostly get to ramble on about the history of old locations.
[and do a lot of home repair and impromptu counseling sessions. it's a pretty bizarre adventure.]
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[But what about the Porter and all the imPorts that it's brought through into this world? Didn't that count?
And, more importantly...]
...what do you mean, a show? Like theater?
[Wasn't theater just acting, though? Why does this world not having real ghosts have any bearing at all on a play.]
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[which is a little funny - for someone who's had to weather so much unexpected supernatural bullshit, you'd think Jonathan would have jumped on any excuse to assume the same here. apparently that archaeology degree wasn't as worthless as Dio thought!]
The show is more - ah, it's a big difficult to explain. They have devices here which can record and play back actions, as well as broadcast it to a great number of people.
I suppose it's a bit more accurate to say it's like being able to watch an investigation as it unfolds rather than waiting for the report.
[this is really hard when you don't have any of this shit in your own time period.]
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[Van nods, the concept simple enough (and not so far removed from what they're doing now) that he understands fairly quickly what Jonathan means.]
But you spend more time reporting the history of old locations?
[A thought...]
Where can I watch this show?
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[or some approximation of it, at least. how anyone could tear themselves away from that kind of thing he really doesn't know.]
It's on television - ah, the box in your home - in the evenings. I'd have to look up which channel, if you really would like to see it sometime; I must confess I don't watch it myself very often.
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[Van looks away. He doesn't agree with that, but then...maybe he's selfish, too? Of course, he runs from the past a whole lot more than he investigates it, but there are certain things he keeps close to his heart, and things that he wants very much to know more about. His curiosity isn't even limited to his heritage or his kingdom. The world is a vast place, and if he's to be a good king, ignorance will only serve to cripple him...
And can't that logic be applied to most everyone and most every situation? If you don't know what happened before, how can you ever hope to avoid repeating the mistakes of your predecessors?]
I'd appreciate that, if it's not too much trouble.
[Not only will he be able to learn more about this world that way, but if Jonathan's the one reporting, perhaps it will give Van more insight into what he's like, too.]
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[it wouldn't be the first time. Jonathan may not really be all that talented at combating it, but he's well aware that he often places unrealistic expectations on himself. there just always seemed to be something he could be doing better, no matter what it was.]
But I'll be certain to send that your way once I manage to track it down. I've written it somewhere around here, it shouldn't take too long.
[are you ready to watch hourlong segments of Jonathan's camerapeople helping him fix old houses and filming him settle marital disputes accidentally? get hype, Van.]
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Spoiler: he's not.]
There's no hurry. You have my thanks again.
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